General Atlantic invests in Brazilian firm

Brittany Lyte

Published 9:06 pm, Monday, July 21, 2014

General Atlantic, a Greenwich-based global growth investment firm, has pledged a strategic investment in Brazilian educational support provider SAS Sistema de Ensino.

The amount of the investment was not disclosed in a news release from SAS announcing the investment.

Launched in 2004, SAS offers teacher training, curriculum content and consulting services to Brazilian schools. It is the sister company of Colegio Ari de Sa, which the company claims is among the most respected K-12 educational institutions in Brazil.

Money invested from General Atlantic will be used to expand SAS' geographic footprint throughout Brazil, according to the release. It also will be used to continue the company's mission to invest in technology research and development in order to improve and expands its menu of educational offerings, the release states.

In partnership with General Atlantic, SAS will continue to invest in research and development in educational technology in order to enhance its educational content offerings. In addition, the company will look to expand its geographic footprint throughout Brazil. Eduardo Samara, Principal at General Atlantic, will join the company's board of directors.

General Atlantic Chief Executive Officer Bill Ford said in a prepared statement that the company is committed to helping SAS grow.

"SAS is one of the leaders in the Brazilian education market thanks to its highly effective teaching methodology and innovative products and services," he said.

General Atlantic has a strong commitment to the Brazilian market with seven investments in Brazilian companies. The investment in SAS was led by General Atlantic's Sao Paulo-based team, which has been on the ground there since 2007.

"Our partnership with General Atlantic will allow us to deepen our relationship with Brazil's educational institutions and to continue to provide best-in-class services to our schools, teachers, and students," SAS CEO Ari de Sa Neto said in the press release announcing the investment.

General Atlantic is a growth equity firm providing capital and strategic support for growth companies worldwide. Established in 1980, the company claims to manage $17 billion in assets and staff more than 80 investment professionals in Greenwich, New York, Palo Alto, Sao Paulo, London, Munich, Amsterdam, Beijing, Hong Kong, Mumbai and Singapore.